Colorado Running Hall of Fame
The Colorado Running Hall of Fame adds luminaries in Colorado running to its ranks each year. Colorado has one of the highest concentrations of world and American record holders and Olympic and world championship medal winners.
The Colorado Running Hall of Fame is open to any individual, regardless of nationality, who has had significant achievements in running, while living in the State of Colorado. These achievements can include national and international accomplishments, as well as in state.
The individuals must have lived in Colorado for at least 5 years. Athletes are considered to be eligible once retired or as their careers wind down. While accomplishments for any possible nominee weigh heavily in the decision making, character and being a good role model for the youth of the state are also considered.
The Hall of Fame considers athletes, writers, race directors, volunteers, coaches, agents, officials, and others who have elevated the sport of running in the state through their dedication and accomplishments. In 2010 the High School Athlete Recognition Program was introduced, awarding 7 high school distance runners with High School Achievement Awards recognizing not only athletic achievement but community leadership and character.
The 2012 Colorado Running Hall of Fame will be held Thursday, April 19th, 2012 at the Denver Athletic Club. Check back soon for more details on this year's event and 2012 nominee announcement.
Read more about the 2011 Colorado Running Hall of Fame Inductees:
The 2011 inductee class consists of Steve Flanagan, Libby Hickman, Parthenia “Potts” Jones, John Meyer, and Bette Poppers.
- Steve Flanagan is a U.S. World Cross Country Champion participant and marathon runner. In the 1970s, he ran for the Frank Shorter Racing Team and was a cross-country specialist for the Colorado Track Club. He is also the father of America's top female distance runner, Shalane Flanagan, who was a bronze medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
- Libby Hickman was named top female road racer in 1991, 1998 and 2000 by Runner's World magazine. She ran the 10,000 meters at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and was the first American woman to win the Bolder Boulder in 14 years in 1997. From Fort Collins, Hickman has largely retired from the sport in favor of chasing her two young children.
- Parthenia Jones, affectionately known as “Potts”, is an extraordinary volunteer. She is an Aurora police officer who has dedicated countless hours over the past 30 years to the sport of running, leading the Potts Trotters, a non-profit running and walking club that promotes health and fitness by sponsoring and participating in running events ranging from 5K runs to ultra-marathons. She was a recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award in 2005.
- John Meyer is a committed long-distance athlete and award-winning sports journalist, writing a running and endurance sports column for The Denver Post. In 2007, he won the Jesse Abramson Award for excellence in track and field journalism, awarded by the Track and Field Writers of America. He has run 13 marathons so far.
- Bette Poppers was one of the first female long distance athletes. She got a late start in the running game, starting her running career at 34 years old (and seven months pregnant), and became one of the nation's top masters runners in the 1980’s. She went on to qualify for the Olympic marathon trials twice after turning 40.
2011 High School Distance Runner Award Recipients
- Olivia Anderson (Cherry Creek HS). Olivia was awarded the “ Most Outstanding Female Performer” award when she broke the Cherry Creek HS record in both 300m Hurdles and freshman 4X800m Relay in 2009. In 2010, Anderson received first place in the open girls mile at the Arcadia Invitational in Calif. She has received national rankings for both Track and Cross Country. Anderson is a member of the National Honors Society and maintains an unweighted GPA of 3.971. She is a member of various extracurricular activities including the Adam’s Camp Foundation.
- William Kincaid (Columbine HS). William was the 2010 5A Cross Country champion. Currently, Kincaid is one of the Top 1500m and 3200 m Runners in the state. This month, William will be competing in the prestigious Arcadia relays in Southern Calif. where he will be running the 3200. Kincaid is a good student and active member of his community.
- Kelsey Lakowske (Boulder HS). Kelsey won all 2010 Colorado Cross Country Meets she competed in. As of November 2010, Kelsey is nationally ranked and was Boulder Camera’s 2010 Girls Cross Country Athlete of the year, winner of Sportswomen of Colorado award for cross country, and ESPN- Rise Colorado’s 09-10 Girls Athlete of the year. In 2010 She was the State’s Cross Country 1st Team All State, All Classification winner. Lakowske is member of the National Honor Society and maintains a 4.14 GPA. She is an avid volunteer at the Boulder Humane Society and works in overseeing small animals during surgery.
- Sydney Scott (Denver South HS). Sydney is the current leader in 4A Track for the 1600 and 3200. In 2010 she placed second at the 4A Cross Country meet. Scott has a 3.82 GPA and is an eloquent violinist. Her service and leadership involvement in the community is her work with the homeless. Scott is an up and coming runner in the state
- Kirk Webb (Monarch HS). Kirk is a well-rounded athlete and student. In 2010 Webb was the State’s 5A Cross Country 3 Ind Champion on the 1st place team. This year he’s participated in the Broomfield Shootout, Mullen Runners Roost Invitational and made great time in the 800 Meter Run. In 2010, Webb earned a regional title and was Camera’s 2010 Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year.
- Connor Winter (Arapahoe HS). Connor swept the distance events at the state Class 5A championships, the first athlete to do so in at least 60 years, according to the Colorado High School Activities Assoc. Connor won the 800 meters (1:52.56), the 1,600 (4:22.52) and the 3,200 (9:17.17). Winter maintains a 3.80 GPA and will be attending the University of Colorado on a Track and Field Scholarship.
2010 High School Distance Running Achievement Awards: Walter Schafer – Cherry Creek High School, Claire Gallagher – Cherry Creek High School, Scott Fauble – Wheatridge High School, Matt Caldwell – Smokey Hill High School, Ryan Poland – Denver Christian High School, Eleanor Fulton – Highlands Ranch, Becky Schmitt – Thomson Valley High School